Telecom firm MTN Uganda , a unit of South Africa’s MTN Group, on Friday launched the first 5G network in the east African country. MTN has Uganda’s largest subscriber base at around 15 million.
It chiefly competes with a local unit of Bharti Airtel .
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5G offers faster data speeds and lower latency or response time.
Sylvia Mulinge, MTN Uganda’s chief executive officer, said the company planned to roll out full 5G coverage in the capital Kampala by the end of 2024 and that over the next two years all its base sites in major cities would also be converted to 5G.
Today’s events come on the back of government’s allocation of 5G spectrum to MTN in June this year but is also the culmination of extensive 5G trials and testing first in 2020 and most recently in April 2023 when MTN Uganda and partners Huawei, and Hima Cement collaborated to showcase the 1st Commercial 5G use case in Kasese, Uganda.
“We are incredibly proud to be the first to be live with a 5G network in Uganda, and we firmly believe that this cutting-edge network service will play a pivotal role in driving ICT solutions for economic growth and fostering unparalleled digital experiences for all Ugandans,
For the past two years we have been actively innovating around the potential of 5G with our partners and we are confident that we have built a strong foundation to grow and support our 5G ecosystem to deliver an exceptional experience for our customers.”
She further emphasized, “This momentous event represents a leap forward for Uganda’s technological landscape. MTN Uganda is committed to bringing the latest network services to Uganda to ensure that together, we are unstoppable.”
The UCC has set ambitious targets, and MTN Uganda is committed to meeting them. Within 12 months, the goal is to achieve internet speeds of at least 50 Mbps and provide 100% indoor coverage in Kampala City by the end of July 2024.
These milestones are expected to fuel growth in the ICT sector and solidify MTN Uganda’s dedication to driving digital solutions for Uganda’s progress.
Ali Monzer, MTN Uganda’s Chief Network service and Information Officer (CTIO), revealed that work to fulfill these commitments to UCC has already commenced, with plans to have all the MTN sites across all cities of Uganda upgraded to 5G in the next two years.
He said: “Today, we are demonstrating to all Ugandans that 5G is no longer just an idea – it is here, it works, and it has the capacity to bring about exponential improvements to our economy, and to the lives of all our customers,
As we roll out 5G network services across the country, customers can soon expect to see the 5G icon on their compatible smartphones and devices, ushering in an era of unparalleled connectivity and digital experiences,”
Monzer further highlighted the transformative impact of 5G network service on businesses in Uganda, bringing greater efficiency and productivity to industries.
He pointed out that the 5G network services will complement MTN Uganda’s growing fibre and 4G network.
As part of its Ambition 2025 strategy, MTN Uganda continues to invest in infrastructure and partnerships to remain at the forefront of the telecommunications industry, providing faster, more reliable connections to its customers and revolutionizing the way businesses operate in Uganda.
